ST ALOYSIUS College face Glasgow High School at Anniesland tomorrow in confident mood after defeating Merchiston in a thrilling match last weekend at Millerston decided by a late penalty goal from stand-off Andy Craig. That latest victory for St Aloysius was the eleventh win this season for the Glasgow college who have lost only to Strathallan and Heriot's and who have recorded one draw against Dollar Academy.
St Aloysius still have a number of hard matches to play, their toughest expected to against Hutchesons' Grammar School and George Watson's College, but with five Glasgow representatives in the side - centre Mike Loakman, wing Alan Jackson, scrum half Nicky McLeod, No.8 Nigel Scullion and loosehead prop Carlo di Ciacca - and a number of other experienced players including Andy Lamont and Charles Langan who successfully converted from full back to lock, the College can be optimistic about achieving further good results.
The first XV is the apex of a pyramid, the lower sections of which receive little publicity. According to Phil Crampsey, the former Aberdeen University hooker and coach to the first XV who is assisted by Gary Douglas, the college runs 13 sides in the secondary section.
``It helps that a lot of the parents have been rugby players,'' says Crampsey. ``They support the sides very well and none better than last Saturday at Millerston for the game against Merchiston. The atmosphere was superb.
``We've also had help from the two New Zealand players at Glasgow Southern - Gavin Walsh and Glen Remant,'' adds Crampsey, who knows he will have to rebuild the first side next season. ``There will be a big clear-out at the end of this session.''
Beyond the end of this season the St Aloysius team can look forward to their first major overseas tour - to Zimbabwe where they will play six games during a three week stay in July. St Aloysius will follow the itinerary of the Scottish Development squad last summer by playing in Harare and Mutare and, of course, will take in a visit to the Victoria Falls and a game park.
Meanwhile, the focus will be on the game of rugby this weekend against rivals Glasgow High School at Anniesland, where St Aloysius' form this season will be thoroughly tested.
